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As I work at transitioning into my new lifestyle, I am ever more aware this 4th of July of the challenges faced by our forefathers when they built this country --- and of the freedoms we enjoy individually as a result of it. Their willingness to fight for what they believed in never fails to inspire me. And this year, with so many of our loved ones engaged in battles around the world, the true value of our 4th of July celebration remains bright as a new coin. Our freedom comes at a price. Others are not as fortunate. Remember that wherever our men and women serve, they pay homage to our Constitution and to the many brave souls who have died through the years in order to preserve those freedoms. Take a moment to cherish this holiday, courtesy of the U.S. Army and its public domain website. Wishing you all a safe and wonderful 4th of July with those you love.

[Members of the Old Guard Colonial Color Guard and Fife and Drum team
march the colors off at the 'Let Freedom Ring' event held in
Philadelphia on July 4, 2004. (photo Army News Service army.mil by
Jackie Garrelts)]

How the Fourth of July was Designated as an "Official" Holiday

The
United States observes no national holidays, that is, holidays mandated
across all 50 states by the Federal government. The United States
Congress and/or President can only legally establish an "official"
holiday for its "federal" employees and the District of Columbia.
States and municipalities are free to adopt holidays enjoyed by the
federal government or to create their own.

This can be
accomplished in several ways, either through enactment of a law issued
by a state legislature or by an executive proclamation, that is, by
order from a state governor. As an act of confirmation, it is possible
as well that a city may enact an ordinance regarding the celebration of
the Fourth of July or any other holiday. As stated in theWorld Almanac
(1998, p. 315), however, "in practice, most states observe the federal
legal public holiday."

The first "official" state celebration of
the Fourth as recognized under resolve of a legislature occurred in
Massachusetts in 1781. Boston was the first municipality (city/town) to
officially designate July Fourth as a holiday, in 1783. Alexander
Martin of North Carolina was the first governor to issue a state order
(in 1783) for celebrating the independence of the country on the Fourth
of July. In 1870 the first federal legislation was passed giving
federal employees a "day off" from work, but without pay. Fourth of July Celebrations Database. (courtesy U.S. Army).

The Bald Eagle - Our National Bird

The bald eagle has been the national bird of the United States
since 1782, when it was placed with outspread wings on the Great Seal
of our country. It appears in many government institutions and on
official documents, making it the most pictured bird in all of America.
The eagle appears on the president’s flag, the mace of the House of
Representatives, military insignia, and billions of one-dollar bills.

The
bald eagle first appeared as an American symbol on a Massachusetts
copper cent coined in 1776. Since then it has appeared on the reverse
side of many U.S. coins, notably the silver dollar, halfdollar and
quarter, as well as the gold coins which were christened the eagle,
half eagle, quarter eagle, and double eagle. For six years, the
members of Congress held a bitter dispute over what the national emblem
should be. It wasn’t until 1789 that the bald eagle was finally chosen
to represent the new nation. The American Bald Eagle

In 1814, about a week after the city of Washington had been
badly burned, British troops moved up to the primary port at Baltimore
Harbor in Maryland. Frances Scott Key visited the British fleet in the
Harbor on September 13th to secure the release of Dr. William Beanes
who had been captured during the Washington raid. The two were detained
on the ship so as not to warn the Americans while the Royal Navy
attempted to bombard Fort McHenry.

At dawn on the 14th, Key
noted that the huge American flag, which now hangs in the Smithsonian's
American History Museum, was still waving and had not been removed in
defeat. The sight inspired him to write a poem entitled Defense of Fort
McHenry; later the poem was set to music that had been previously
composed for another song by a Mr. Smith.

The end result was the
inspiring song now considered the national anthem of the United States
of America. It was accepted as such by public demand for the next
century or so, but became even more accepted as the national anthem
during the World Series of Baseball in 1917 when it was sung in honor
of the brave armed forces fighting in the Great War.

The World
Series performance moved everyone in attendance, and after that it was
repeated for every game. Finally, on March 3, 1931, the American
Congress proclaimed it as the national anthem, 116 years after it was
first written. Star Spangled Banner

[Photograph of fireworks going off in the night sky by the
Washington Monument, during ceremonies celebrating the 175th
anniversary of the Declaration of Independence., 07/04/1951. Location: Harry S. Truman Library (NLHST), 500 West U.S. Highway 24, Independence, MO 64050-1798]

We...solemnly Publish and Declare, that these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be, Free and Independent States." - Declaration of Independence

On
July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress adopted these words, and
a new nation was born. This new nation promised to secure the rights of
life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for each and every one of
its citizens. "In order to form a more perfect Union...and secure the
blessings of liberty," for itself and its posterity, the United States
of America established a government of democracy to fulfill that
promise. Today, America continues to uphold its ideals and is a symbol
of freedom and democracy for the entire world.

And From General Washington:

Head Quarters, New York, July 9, 1776.

* * *

The
Hon. Continental Congress having been pleased to allow a Chaplain to
each Regiment, with the pay of Thirty-three Dollars and one third pr
month--The Colonels or commanding officers of each regiment are
directed to procure Chaplains accordingly; persons of good Characters
and exemplary lives--To see that all inferior officers and soldiers pay
them a suitable respect and attend carefully upon religious exercises.
The blessing and protection of Heaven are at all times necessary but
especially so in times of public distress and danger--The General hopes
and trusts, that every officer and man, will endeavour so to live, and
act, as becomes a Christian Soldier defending the dearest Rights and
Liberties of his country.

The Hon. The Continental Congress,
impelled by the dictates of duty, policy and necessity, having been
pleased to dissolve the Connection which subsisted between this
Country, and Great Britain, and to declare the United Colonies of North
America, free and independent States: The several brigades are to be
drawn up this evening on their respective Parades, at Six OClock, when
the declaration of Congress, shewing the grounds and reasons of this
measure, is to be read with an audible voice.

The General hopes
this important Event will serve as a fresh incentive to every officer,
and soldier, to act with Fidelity and Courage, as knowing that now the
peace and safety of his Country depends (under God) solely on the
success of our arms: And that he is now in the service of a State,
possessed of sufficient power to reward his merit, and advance him to
the highest Honors of a free Country. . . .

Don't be afraid --- make new friends. Try something new. It's good to break out of the routine sometimes! And take a moment to relax and meet some of my favorite friends. Laughing is good for the soul and you'll find more than one laugh in here. Enjoy!

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